Description

The monument is a burnt mound, a late prehistoric cooking place, probably concealing the remains of a contemporary dwelling.

The burnt mound is on gently sloping ground near to a small stream which flows into Hamna Voe. It has an irregular crescentic plan, about 6m at the widest and 1m high. On the S, downslope, side traces of curved walling appear from the foot of the mound, and may represent the foundations of a dwelling or some other structure related to the use of the mound.

In Shetland such mounds are normally thought to be of middle to late Bronze Age date (c. 1500-600 BC), although elsewhere in Scotland dates ranging from this period through to the Dark Ages (c. 600-800 AD) have been obtained.

The area to be scheduled is irregular, measuring 25m N-S and from 25m to 30m E-W. It is bounded on the E by the Mill Burn. This area, which includes the burnt mound, associated walling and an area around in which evidence relating to its accumulation and use may survive, is marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a good example of a burnt mound with associated and possibly earlier construction remains. It has the potential to provide information, through excavation and analysis, about later prehistoric domestic economy.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HU 28 SW 6.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland